An international fuel distribution company is accelerating legal and administrative steps to secure authorization to use storage facilities at SAMIR refinery, Morocco’s idle refinery, according to Hespress AR sources familiar with the matter.
The move involves procedures before the Casablanca Commercial Court and the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines, as the company seeks access to storage capacity at the refinery, which has been out of operation since August 2015.
Sources said the company’s interest in leasing storage tanks mirrors a previous arrangement by BGI Petroleum, which markets the “Yoom” brand and currently uses around 80,000 cubic meters of storage for diesel distribution. The new entrant aims to expand its logistical footprint in Morocco by increasing storage capacity for diesel and gasoline, ensuring more stable supply to its nationwide network of service stations.
The company has reportedly hired a Casablanca-based law firm to prepare its application and navigate legal procedures, relying in part on a 2020 court ruling that authorized the leasing of SAMIR’s storage tanks. Sources said the firm is fast-tracking the process as a hedge against ongoing volatility in global fuel prices, particularly after recent increases in diesel prices in Morocco, which have reached about 15.50 dirhams per liter.
According to the same sources, the company is seeking a larger storage capacity than that currently used by existing operators. SAMIR’s unused storage infrastructure is estimated at between 1.8 million and 2 million cubic meters, with current utilization reportedly not exceeding 4%, leaving significant room for additional players.
The push comes amid rising refined product prices on international markets, including in Rotterdam, driven by geopolitical tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Revenue generated from such leasing agreements could provide a new income stream for SAMIR, which has been under judicial liquidation proceedings for nearly a decade. Sources added that other domestic and international operators are also preparing similar applications to strengthen storage capabilities following recent supply disruptions.
The issue of fuel price increases and limited storage capacity has reignited debate over Morocco’s refining strategy. Leila Benali, minister of energy transition and sustainable development, has maintained her previously stated position that refining alone is not sufficient to guarantee energy security. She has pointed to international examples, including India, to argue that access to suitable crude oil supplies remains a critical factor regardless of refining capacity.
Sources added that the company seeking the license has already secured approval from its European headquarters, with the expansion of storage infrastructure in Morocco forming part of a broader strategy to support its distribution network in a market where diesel prices are among the highest in North Africa following recent increases.
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